YASA Limited explained

YASA Limited.
Type:Private company
Foundation:Oxford, United Kingdom (September 2009)
Hq Location City:Oxford, Oxfordshire
Key People:Dr. Markus Keicher,
Dr. Tim Woolmer,
Industry:Manufacturing
Products:Electric motors
Generators
Motor controllers
Parent:Mercedes-Benz

YASA is a British manufacturer of electric motors and motor controllers for use in automotive and industrial applications.[1] [2] [3] The company was founded in 2009 by the CTO Dr Tim Woolmer who is also the holder of a number of related motor technology patents.[4] Although initial commercial adoption was in high-performance cars, markets for YASA e-motors and generators now include the off-road, marine, industrial and aerospace sectors.

History

YASA Limited (formerly YASA Motors Limited) was founded in September 2009 to commercialise a permanent-magnet axial-flux electric motor (YASA stands for Yokeless and Segmented Armature). The motor was developed for the Morgan LIFEcar in 2008 by Dr Malcolm McCulloch and Dr Tim Woolmer, then a PhD student, at the University of Oxford.[5] In 2015, YASA Motors launched the P400 Series of motors in serial production for volume manufacturers.[6] In January 2018, YASA's 1st series production facility, capable of 100,000 units per year, was officially opened[7] by Greg Clark, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

In May 2019, the company announced "Ferrari selects YASA electric motor for SF90 Stradale, the company's first hybrid production series supercar" [8]

On 22 July 2021 YASA Limited was acquired by Mercedes-Benz.[9]

On 21 May 2024, YASA received approval to establish its new headquarters at a former RAF base in Bicester, Oxfordshire.[10]

Products and applications

YASA offer a range of off-the-shelf and custom motors for use in a number of applications such as electric (BEV) and hybrid vehicle drivetrain,[11] power generation and hydraulics replacement systems.[12] [13]

Standard Motors and Controllers

YASA's standard electric motors have been used in several high-performance cars such as the Drive eO PP03 (the first EV to win the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb outright),[14] Jaguar C-X75, Koenigsegg Regera,[15] and a Lola Le Mans Prototype converted by Drayson Racing, which set a world electric land speed record in 2013.[16] [17]

YASA P400 Series

The YASA P400 series of electric motors produces up to 160kW peak power at 700 V and 370abbr=onNaNabbr=on of peak torque at 450 Amps.[18] At this peak power, the off-the-shelf P400 Series achieves a power density of 6.67abbr=onNaNabbr=on, with continuous rating of up to 100kW. The stator of the P400 series motors is oil cooled, and can optionally include additional air cooling.

YASA 750 R

The YASA 750 R is the larger and more powerful electric motor in YASA's standard range, producing up to 200kW of peak power at 700 V and 790Nm of peak torque. Continuous operating power for the 750 R is stated at up to 70kW.[19]

Custom Powertrain Solutions: E-Motors, Controllers & Integrated Electric Drive Units (EDU)

As well as standard products, YASA designs and manufactures e-motors that are fully integrated into the drivetrain of their OEM and Tier 1 automotive customers. The e-motors feature power densities up to 20kW/kg[20] in vehicle applications that include P2 Hybrid Vehicle Powertrain,[21] P4 traction motor for e-axle and REx (range-extension).[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: YASA Limited.: Private Company Information – Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P.. 4 March 2015.
  2. Web site: Oxford YASA Motors Shows Specific Torque Above 30Nm/kg. Green Car Congress. 4 March 2015.
  3. Web site: Lloyds/Telegraph awards reveal the best British entrepreneurs. The Daily Telegraph. 17 March 2012 . 4 March 2015.
  4. Web site: Light electric motor spins out. Phys.org. 4 March 2015.
  5. Web site: Special commendation: Electric avenue. The Engineer. 4 March 2015.
  6. Web site: YASA Motors. YASA Releases New Motor and Generator Products for Serial Production.. yasa.com. 15 September 2015 . 15 October 2015.
  7. News: Electric vehicle motor factory opens in Oxfordshire. BBC News . February 2018 . 14 August 2019.
  8. Web site: Ferrari selects YASA electric motor for SF90 Stradale. BusinessWire.com. 30 May 2019 . 14 August 2019.
  9. News: Mercedes buys UK start-up Yasa as it steps up electric transition . Financial Times . 22 July 2021 . 1 October 2021.
  10. Web site: YASA electric motor company moving to former RAF base site . 2024-05-21 . www.bbc.com . en-GB.
  11. Web site: YASA motors for hybrid vehicles. yasa.com. 19 January 2016.
  12. Web site: YASA Limited " Standard Electric Axial Flux Motors – YASA 750R, YASA P400R. YASA Limited. 4 March 2015.
  13. Web site: YASA Limited " Hybridisation – Integrated Electric Motor and Engine Applications. YASA Limited. 4 March 2015.
  14. [Pikes Peak International Hill Climb#Emergence of electric vehicles|Pikes Peak - Emergence of Electric Vehicles]
  15. Web site: Koenigsegg charges forward with 1,500-hp Regera hybrid hypercar [w/video]]. Autoblog.com. 4 March 2015.
  16. News: Drayson Racing electric car sets new world speed record. BBC News. 4 March 2015.
  17. Web site: Britain claims electric land speed record!. BBC. 4 March 2015.
  18. Web site: YASA Motors " P400 Series. 5 February 2016.
  19. News: YASA-750 Compact Axial Flux Electric Motor Advanced Manufacturing. YASA Limited. 14 March 2018.
  20. News: P4 Traction and EDU > YASA Limited. YASA Limited. 11 June 2018.
  21. News: P2 Hybrids > YASA Limited. YASA Limited. 11 June 2018.
  22. News: Motors for Range-extended Generators > YASA Limited. YASA Limited. 11 June 2018.